The decision to pick up the 30th Anniversary Edition of “The Little Mermaid” really comes down to personal preference. If you already own a copy, the bonus features aren’t likely to entice you and the idea of upgrading may not appeal. However, if you don’t own “The Little Mermaid” yet or the idea of digging into the process of its creation sparks interest, heck, even if the notion of seeing the film presented in greater detail and vividness is enough, then there’s little to be disappointed by in Disney’s eighth addition to their Signature Collection.
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“Iceman: The Time Traveler” is another fun Donnie Yen feature, despite being a weak sequel.
Donnie Yen is one of the most prolific actors in Chinese cinema. Though modern American audiences are most familiar with Yen from his performance as Chirrut Îmwe in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Yen’s been working in films… Read More ›
Documentary “Maria by Callas” is a movie for her, by her.
The intent of a documentary is often more than merely to inform about a subject, but to immerse the audience deep into the world of the subject to create empathy, along with understanding. The typical approach is one in which… Read More ›
Found footage horror film “Haunted Hospital: Heilstätten” offers a meta commentary on Internet culture.
When executed well, the found footage subgenre can be an incredibly immersive experience, spellbinding the audience and convincing them that everything they’re about to witness is not just real, but urgently so. The most famous of these films is 1999’s… Read More ›
“The Rising Sun” provides a glimpse into the lives of a nomadic breakdancing troupe.
The concept of a nomadic, bohemian lifestyle is undeniably alluring in its defying of conventional ideas of society regarding employment, responsibility, and family in order to create something unique and personal by throwing off the shackles of conformity to pursue… Read More ›
Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is too dour for Christmas, too artificial to feel magical.
The Nutcracker is a famous ballet known the world over for its delicacy and grace in performance and the beauty of Tchaikovsky’s music. In fact, it’s safe to say that more people are aware of the story in connection to… Read More ›
“The Hate U Give” can end with us.
There’s one phrase that runs through my head every day of every week of every year: You can’t see them all. At some point, trying to keep up with all of the films released in a year in theaters, digitally,… Read More ›
Make your reservations now for some “Bad Times at the El Royale”.
Writer/director Drew Goddard is no stranger to a good mystery. Having made his bones writing for shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Alias, he went on to write 2008’s Cloverfield and co-write 2012’s The Cabin in the Woods,… Read More ›
Film noir “The Lightest Darkness” toys with time and memory.
There’s something truly delicious about a film which toys with your expectations; a film possessing the temerity to state its own vision, even as it identifies the areas in which it knows the audience is looking. Rather than focus the… Read More ›
An unexpected holiday treat, consider decking the halls with “Jet Trash”.
Christmas films come in all shapes and sizes. There are the traditional ones, such as White Christmas, A Christmas Story, A Miracle on 34th Street, and A Charlie Brown Christmas, which tend to put carolers in a festive mood. Then,… Read More ›
“Disney’s Christopher Robin” is a bit of old which feels refreshingly new.
As children, all we ever want to do is grow up. We’re told “not yet” and “not now” as we struggle to figure out who we are among the rules and regulations adults put on us. Within our imaginations, however,… Read More ›
“[Cargo]” is an allegorical tale which doesn’t quite come together.
There’s something about a good anti-hero that makes audiences fall in love. Whether it’s watching the slow moral corruption of Michael Corleone, the oft-horrific charm of Hannibal Lecter, or the nihilist machismo of Tyler Durden, the well-executed anti-hero brings a… Read More ›
From emotional moments to strings of puns, Pixar’s “Short Films Collection: Volume 3” has something for the entire family.
Slowly but surely the films of Pixar found their way into our hearts. Stemming all the way back to 1995’s Toy Story, Pixar established itself as a studio where art and inspiration combine to create stories that do entertain and… Read More ›
“The Darkest Minds” fails to deliver on its potential in its race to be a blockbuster.
Adapting novels into films is nothing new, but ever since Warner Bros. began the Harry Potter films, a near seismic shift occurred and the search for a new Young Adult box office dominator began. However, for every The Hunger Games,… Read More ›
A solid cast, script, and direction make for a fun “Ride”.
In today’s service-based economy, it’s all about creating the best experience for your customers in order for them to return. Gone is the authentic customer service experience, replaced with a script meant to feel honest. More often than not, we… Read More ›
Eco-thriller “Strange Nature” terrifies in all the wrong ways.
Whatever aspect of the film industry you’re in, you’re in because you love it. It could be the creation of creatures, the set design, or the costumes that lured you in or maybe it’s crafting the stories performed, being the… Read More ›
Character-driven drama “Poor Boy” is a good idea with countless missed potential.
Some ideas sounds better on paper than they do in execution. In one character study, a devoted boyfriend discovers his girlfriend is cheating on him (The Room), whereas in a genre-mashup space western, a warrior monk and a farm boy… Read More ›
Get ready to jump to hyperspace: “Solo: A Star Wars Story” is available now.
Solo: A Star Wars Story may have been doomed to fail from the beginning. Prequels, in general, are tricky propositions. The entire concept is intended to shed new light on existing characters while also providing extensive back story. This is… Read More ›
Documentary “Pressing On” leaves its imprint on audiences in an infectious, rock n’ roll ride.
Of the things we take for granted, the written word is possibly the highest on the list. Before Johannes Gutenberg devised the printing press in 1440, there was little focus on or desire for the common person to read, which… Read More ›
Graphic novel adaptation ‘I Kill Giants’ is beautifully constructed, but misses its emotionally landing.
When the term “graphic novel” is tossed around, most immediately turn toward stories that capture grand adventures of heroes, like Superman, Batman, the Avengers, who display their superhuman strength or intellect while defeating similarly striking villains bent on world, or… Read More ›